Neck traction is a form of physical therapy that helps stop neck pain by gently stretching the cervical spine. Physicians, therapists and chiropractors often use traction to relieve neck pain, but it's also possible for patients to do some neck traction at home.
Mechanical Device
Health care professionals perform traction by using a mechanical device that gradually opens up the spaces between cervical vertebrae. This will relieve pressure on the spinal discs and lessen pain. Some therapists use traction intermittently; the device will pull and then rest.
Manual Traction
Neck traction can be done manually by a therapist or chiropractor standing behind the patient and gently pulling the patient's head.
Over-the-Door
Over-the-door traction is a popular form of home traction. The patient puts a type of harness onto his neck. The other end of the harness hangs over the door and holds weights or water bags. The weights gradually stretch the neck.
Air Traction
Air traction is another form of home therapy. The patient places the air traction equipment around her neck and slowly inflates it with a hand pump. By gradually increasing the pressure, the patient slowly stretches the neck.
Cervical Pillow
Using a cervical traction pillow is a simple form of home therapy. The pillow is shaped so that there is a large, high roll to support the neck and let the head hang down on the other side. Health professionals recommend using it for not more than 30 minutes. It should not be used while sleeping.
Under a Doctor's Care
It's crucial to seek medical advice before doing traction at home. If not done correctly, home traction can actually make the neck problem worse.
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